I've just finished five Xmas shifts in a row and I now have five days off to relax and make some art...........yeah! It's been an uncharacteristically peaceful Xmas on emergency duty and it's been a pleasure to work.

I haven't managed to get out much with Dandy Doggins though, so my lovely Toby has picked up the slack; so a big thank youToby!

Before the snow disappears completely, and before the next freeze arrives, here are some photos from one of the walks Dandy and I did manage between the shifts.

I hope your Xmas was as peaceful as ours, thank you for all your support and comments this year, and happy new year for 2011!

On Friday I spent the day at Penpont near Brecon at a creative workshop hosted by the Women's Arts Association. I've never been to this delightful manor house before, and we were given ample opportunity to explore the grounds and some of the buildings to inspire our drawing and writing.

I'm a huge fan of period properties and sympathetic restoration. I was so pleased to see that Penpont has been lovingly restored with authentic materials using skilled craftspeople.

As I arrived, I was immediately struck by the intensity of colour on the lime-washed renders.The place was buzzing with people preparing for a Xmas fair on the weekend.

I was ushered into a large and beautifully restored stable that was a warm dining space with a huge roaring log burner.

As it was a creative workshop, we were sent off to explore the outbuildings and extensive gardens and grounds.

There were so many little details and patterns to take in.

And there was a marvelous conservatory with glass roof tiles, encaustic and iron grid floor, and stained glass windows.

I was inspired by the trees; in particular, a 200 year old larch that was host to a stunning variety of flora and fauna.

We brought in bits and pieces of fallen twigs, leaves and cones and did some drawing. As ever when I'm drawing, I was astounded at how quickly the time passed.

There just wasn't enough time to do more than a few brief sketches, but the reason I went on the workshop was to kick-start the drawing process so I can concentrate on filling my hand-made books for an Book Arts exhibition I'm curating at Cardiff Central Library. It's going to be a satellite exhibition coinciding with International Women's Day in March 2011 and promoted by the Women's Arts Association.

Mission accomplished, we gathered our drawings up and met in the stable for mince pies and mulled wine before we made the return journey.

Those vividly translucent lime-washed oranges, reds and yellows are going to stay with me for a good long while methinks.